Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. (LogOut/ This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. The Fund has offered Highland Council 1 million of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. The Councils head of revenues and business support will therefore look at these claims on an individual basis so that awards can be made to those who are eligible.. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. In addition, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has a specialist team of Energy Advisors who can undertake a range of energy checks which are designed to help with reducing domestic fuel bills. Funding from Scottish Government grant covers the cost of the installation, in the most part, although some works may require a household contribution to meet the shortfall between installation cost and funding available. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. Low 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. All Rights Reserved. People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online here for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. Cllr Bremner also highlighted that the scheme is open to all owner occupier and privately rented properties who meet eligibility criteria and encouraged members of the public to make inquiries about the scheme. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. Households in the Highland who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from The Highland Council. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. If agreed, a payment of 180 would be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone accused Highland Council of wilful digital exclusion over recent letters sent out to residents inviting them to claim a 180 Fuel Support Payment. All rights reserved. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. At the end of October, the Scottish Government announced a 41 million Winter Support Fund for low-income families which includes 10m nationally to help those struggling to pay their fuel bills. Albyn Housing Society have been using the contact with tenants to highlight other sources of support too, including those provided by the Highland Council and their local Citizens Advice Bureau. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. The scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. The Fund has offered Highland Council 1m of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson added Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. At a full council meeting on Friday,. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. In the longer term, this dire situation clearly demonstrates the pressing need for a UK wide, strategic review of our energy supply, market and infrastructure., Depute Leader Alasdair Christie added: Living with fuel poverty has far reaching impacts, particularly on health and wellbeing, as well as learning, employment and social networks. This site uses cookies. Without EES:ABS there is currently no other long-term support to households in fuel poverty and those vulnerable to living with the effects of a cold home. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. 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Proposals to provide almost 3m to help households in fuel poverty in Highland this winter will be considered by members at the meeting of full Council on 9 December. Fuel poverty campaigners call for more ambitious targets, Fuel poverty among Scottish households drops by 4%, Fuel poverty initiatives named amongst engineering projects of the future, Fuel poverty strategy must go further to give assurance that Scotland will meet fuel poverty targets. Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. If agreed, a payment of 180 would be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction. It was therefore not feasible to include their number on the letters., Despite the letters stating residents must make their claim online, the council added: Customers who prefer to make contact by telephone can use one of our many telephone numbers that are well established and freely available.. Council tax rules mean that there are some individuals on a low income who are exempt from council tax and therefore not entitled to council tax reduction. Mr Stone queried why it did not state the payment could be claimed by speaking to an advisor over the phone using the councils welfare support line. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. There has been a tremendous response from across the Highlands for this important fuel support grant, put in place to help mitigate the costs of winter and the growing pressures on family incomes and finances, increasing unemployment and the uncertainty that lies ahead. Funding is also available from the Scottish Government, Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Warm Homes Fund for those looking to implement energy efficiency measures within their home such as adding loft, cavity or External Wall Insulation to reduce heat loss and save on annual energy bills. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a range of energy efficiency measures including: While the programme adopts a fabric first approach, the 2022/23 programme has a particular focus on installation of air source heat pumps and also encouraging householders to consider Cavity Wall, Loft Insulation and solar panels and battery storage. Figures also estimate that 22% of Highland households are facing extreme fuel poverty. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. Wherever possible this significant fund, totalling 3.24m, is quickly putting money into peoples pockets without them having to take any action at all, and the majority of eligible households are due to receive their payments next week. All applicants will be offered a referral to Citizens Advice (CAB) for energy checks and expertise available from CAB as this may help to reduce domestic fuel bills. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. All applicants will be offered a referral to Citizens Advice (CAB) for energy checks and expertise available from CAB as this may help to reduce domestic fuel bills. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Hundreds of Highland households worried about rising fuel bills and the cost of living have been given much needed support from Albyn Housing Society this winter, through the housing association's Fuel Support Fund. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. Members of the Highland Council agreed support totalling almost 3 million to help people currently living in fuel poverty due to the rise in prices. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. This site uses cookies. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. Where appropriate, eligible applicants will be awarded a grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund before being considered for a grant from the local Fuel Support Fund. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. Fuel Support Fund Households in the Highland who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from The Highland Council:. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. On 29 October 2021, the Scottish Government announced a 41m Winter Support Fund for low-income families which includes 10m nationally to help those struggling to pay their fuel bills. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. The Councils Head of Revenues and Business Support will therefore look at these claims on an individual basis so that awards can be made to those who are eligible.. Households in the Highland who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from The Highland Council. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is crucial that we encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Scheme to benefit from grant funding to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their homes, improving comfort levels and attempt to minimise the impact of rising fuel costs. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Low Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. 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The Fund has offered Highland Council 1m of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants.

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